NSU Horizons Winter 2008 - 2009

spotlight What combined forces would compel a young woman to travel alone to a country where rape and mass slaughter have resulted in the deaths of more than 300,000 people? That’s the question that lingers in the air when one meets NSU doctoral student Careen Hutchinson, who disregarded her own safety and journeyed more than 7,000 miles to learn about the genocide in Darfur. Hutchinson, who is currently enrolled in the Conflict Analysis and Resolution program at the Graduate School of Humanities and So- cial Sciences (SHSS) and serves as president of the SHSS Student Association, has a petite appearance and soft-spoken manner that conceal the fierce conviction that drives her. As someone who has worked with Hutchinson on several projects, Debra Nixon, Ph.D., associate chair in the Department of Family Therapy, assistant professor of family therapy, and faculty adviser for the SHSS Student Association, admits she is not surprised by the courage and tenacity that led the young woman to Africa. “Hutchinson is on a mission to educate the lesser-concerned or the unenlightened,” Nixon said. “She has an incredible commitment to disenfranchised and traumatized populations.” Honggang Yang, Ph.D., dean of SHSS, said Hutchinson has earned the respect of the SHSS faculty and student body because of her willingness to think outside of the box in order to explore difficult subject matters, such as ethnic cleansing, sexual assault, and religious intolerance. “Hutchinson is a wonderful student leader and thoughtful organizer at SHSS,” Yang said. “She has initiated three campus colloquiums on critical global issues over the recent academic years and is committed to the peace process.” Hutchinson has always had an interest in the dynamics of conflict, but it was not until she saw the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda , which depicts the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, that she realized where her true passions lie. “I watched that movie five times consecu- tively,” Hutchinson admitted. “I was struggling to understand how this could happen. I kept saying to myself, ‘I don’t remember hearing about the genocide. How much of this was in the news? Why didn’t I read about it?’ Then, I wanted to speak to the man who saved all of those people.” Acting on impulse, Hutchinson called the Rwandan Embassy to see how she could contact Paul Rusesabagina, whose heroic ac- tions were the subject of the movie. While she was not able to contact Rusesabagina, she did speak with the Rwandan Ambassador, who was eager to share information with her. A Quiet Warrior Fights for Peace By Mara L. Kiffin 24 horizons